Local growth funds
This briefing is a summary of current government administered funds designed to support local economic growth.

Before the 2017 general election the previous Government published a draft Airports National Policy Statement. Find out more about the next steps for this if taken forward and about the national infrastructure planning framework in this briefing paper.
Planning for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (340 KB , PDF)
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are large scale developments (relating to energy, transport, water, or waste) which require a type of consent known as “development consent”. The Planning Act 2008 introduced a new development consent process for NSIPs which was subsequently amended by the Localism Act 2011.
A Development Consent Order (DCO) automatically removes the need to obtain several separate consents, including planning permission and is designed to be a much quicker process than applying for these separately. An extension of the regime in 2013 now allows certain business and commercial projects to opt into this process.
The DCO process starts when an application is formally accepted by the National Infrastructure Planning Unit and lasts approximately 12-15 months. The process however, is front-loaded with a number of pre-application consultation requirements, which, depending on the complexity of the project, can take a number of years to carry out.
The final decision on granting a DCO rests with the Secretary of State for that field. The National Infrastructure Planning website provides a number of guidance on the processes.
Applications for DCOs are decided in accordance with National Policy Statements (NPSs), which after a process of public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny are formally “designated” by Government. There are currently 12 designated or proposed NPSs, which fall under the categories of hazardous waste, water supply, energy, transport networks, aviation and ports.
An emerging NPS can carry some weight for decision takers in the development consent process. The amount of weight given will depend on how far along the process the NPS is at and how much consultation has taken place.
On 2 February 2017 the previous Conservative Government published its draft Airports National Policy Statement. This was accompanied by a formal consultation which closed on 25 May 2017. The draft NPS explained the Government’s general policy and reasons for supporting a third runway at Heathrow. It also set out particular considerations relevant to any DCO airport expansion application.
This note applies to England and, where specified, to Wales. See the joint Library briefing paper Comparison of the planning systems in the four UK countries: 2016 update for information about consenting regimes in the other UK countries.
The Library briefing paper, Infrastructure Policy examines the current state of infrastructure in the UK, current levels of investment and recent Government policy.
Planning for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (340 KB , PDF)
This briefing is a summary of current government administered funds designed to support local economic growth.
The government is changing planning law with the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. Alongside the Act, it has proposed changes to planning regulations.
A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for Thursday 16 November 2023 on heritage pubs. The debate will be opened by Marco Longhi MP.